In recent years, numerous products aimed at mitigating the effects of pedal kickback have hit the market. Among them, DT Swiss’s Degrees of Freedom (DEG DF) system is arguably the simplest, lightest, and best-integrated solution for isolating your rear suspension from forces on your drivetrain. Launched in 2025, the original DEG DF Upgrade Kit gave riders an inexpensive way to tune their freehub engagement by swapping the ratchet internals in existing DEG hubs.
Until now, however, the DF technology has been limited to DT’s oversized DEG hubs. With today’s launch of the Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit, riders on classic Ratchet (non-DEG) freehub systems can also enjoy DF technology. Additionally, the new Ratchet DEG DF Race Kit provides riders with DEG DF hubs even more tuning options to dial in their freehub engagement. Let’s check them out.
Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit
DT Swiss introduced its Ratchet System in 1995, and it hasn’t changed all that much in the decades since. Now, the brand is bringing DF technology to more riders with its new Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit. This kit is compatible with DT’s classic 350 Ratchet and 370 Ratchet LN hubs and is approved for use on e-bikes. (It is not compatible with any Ratchet EXP hubs)
The Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit allows the rider to choose between 0° and 14° engagement settings by switching the inner and outer positions of the ratchets. The system includes everything you need to complete the upgrade, including a 54-tooth ratchet, and you can purchase it with or without the Threadring removal tool.
DEG DF Race Kit
If you’ve already got DEG DF hubs, the two new DEG DF Race Kits provide more options to fine-tune engagement with additional setup options. This adds to the existing 0° / 10° / 20° with two new options, which are 0° / 40° and 10° / 30°. To be clear, 30° or 40° of float in the cassette is significant, and clearly aimed at gravity riders.
According to DT Swiss, “the 0° / 40° option is tailored to ambitious gravity / downhill racers who are ready to conquer rough downhill trails, where a smoother ride is essential. In contrast, the 10° / 30° kit is designed for enduro racers who need to fine-tune their freedom of movement between stages.”
New 1700 Rims
In addition to the DF Upgrade and Race Kits, DT Swiss is also introducing new 1700 rims. The brand says it gave its new 1700 rims an asymmetrical profile for more even spoke tension and enhanced durability. The new rims also feature a reinforced construction that includes high-strength aluminum alloy, a welded rim connection, “a wide horn (beadwall top) to reduce tire damage”, and “a tire contact surface with a hump (and hook) for improved support.”
The new 1700 rims come in three category-specific constructions for cross-country (XR 421), all-mountain (XM 431), and enduro (EX 441). Of course, DT’s new aluminum rims are all easily paired with its DEG DF hubs when building up your next high-performance aluminum wheelset.
Availability
DT Swiss officially launched its new Ratchet DF Upgrade Kit, DEG DF Race Kit, and the new 1700 rims today. Head to the DT Swiss website to learn more or find a dealer near you.
